Best Singapore rooftop bars

Never mind Singapore’s heat and humidity or the risk of heavy downpours, the recent boom of rooftop bars has tipplers and teetotalers eager to risk the weather to drink in the view: pink and orange sunsets over a sea of skyscrapers, the day winding down in busy Chinatown, night lights and laser beams painting shapes and figures in the sky.

Here are the best al fresco spots to enjoy Singapore’s spectacular skyline.

1-Altitude

Who could pass up the chance to drink at 1-Altitude, the world’s highest al fresco bar?Hands-down, 1-Altitude has the most comprehensive view of the city.

At 282 meters above sea level atop the OUB Building, this world’s highest al fresco bar has an unobstructed view of the city from the heart of the financial district.

When it rains and when winds pick up, this entirely open-air space furnished with day eds and colorfully-lit chairs is closed for safety reasons, so check the weather before heading over.

What to drink: Chocolate Sidecar (cognac, lemon juice and creme de cacao), S$16

Breeze

Breeze: Definitely a third date location.Sitting atop the 1924 art deco corner shophouse that is The Scarlet boutique hotel is this fourth-floor bar and restaurant frequented by yuppies drawn to romantic enclaves.

And no wonder, this rooftop overlooking Chinatown’s red tiled roofs is a largely private, turned-down space with daybed coves and tables shaded by trees speckled with warm Christmas lights.

The Mediterranean-influenced menu also caters to the amorous; an oyster platter for two, Champagne and grilled meat; it’s all been thought out.

If things get too hot, couples won’t have to leave this sanctuary, they can just head downstairs and get a room.

CE LA VI

CE LA VI: Raising the roof and shooting lasers on a nightly basis. Singapore’s youngest architectural icon, Marina Bay Sands (MBS), is the only structure standing 200 meters high in its immediate vicinity.

This means CE LA VI (formerly named KU DE TA), its party bar, has spectacular views into the city and out over the waters that hug our tiny isle, and of Marina Bay Sands' infamous infinity pool.

A sunset arrival gets you the full experience, it’s a transition from sharp to gleaming views with a breathtaking sunset.

If you're unable to tear yourself away from the fancy night lights, stave off hunger pangs with the platter of five wagyu mini burgers and the chopped tuna tartare and flatbread while enjoying the nightly laser show.

What to drink: Lady Be Mine (Martini with lychee, rose water and apple juice), S$20

La Terraza Rooftop Bar

Don't just go for a dinner and a movie, spice the date up with a nightcap at La Terraza Rooftop Bar.This fifth-floor roof space is extremely limited so make sure you call ahead to reserve as many of their seats as you can.

You’ll still be rubbing sweaty shoulders with the largely expat community who regularly hold private events at La Terraza, but that is part of the squeezy space’s charm -- at some point, even the most introverted member of the group will have to speak.

Of course, the well-mixed selection of international drinks and draft Hoegaarden will help lubricate conversations.

Lantern

Resist the urge to go night swimming after one too many cocktails at Lantern. The fifth floor of The Fullerton Bay Hotel won't give anyone vertigo, but what Lantern lacks in altitude it makes up in finesse.

It's sexy with a Mediterranean flair; slinky with a five-meter-long bar counter; and splashy with a gorgeous mosaic pool as a centerpiece and tucked-away skyline facing whirlpools for private midnight dips.

What to drink: Red Lantern, S$24 (a Don Julio Tequila concoction with watermelon, cucumber, lime and a splash of cointreau.)

Loof

Leafy surrounds and icy-cool martinis make it far too easy to linger at Loof.Unlike its poised queenly neighbor, The Raffles Hotel, Loof is eccentric and, apart from its caged trees, close to being flagrantly wild.

This third-story nook nestled among office buildings is where creative types -- and suppressed creative types -- go to kick back on low leather loungers of all forms and sizes.

When crowded, this 150-seat space can get a little stuffy. We blame the clear plastic tarp shelter for the lack of ventilation, but hey, that solves the rain dilemma.

While no one will fault you for bringing your own fan, you’d likely not need it, as the variety of martinis that Loof is known to serve should cool you down considerably.

Naumi

Test your ninja skills and see if you can sneak up to Naumi's rooftop bar.Officially, this 10th-story rooftop bar with the sparkly close views of Raffles City and The Esplanade over its infinity pool is open only to the hotel’s guests occupying one of their 40 rooms.

But the general lack of service staff stationed up here means commoners like us can slip in unnoticed.

Fingers crossed then, that you get to this cozy timber-paneled al fresco roof early enough to snag one of the few Dedon love seats or the leaf-shaped sunbeds –- the stools at the bar, as you can expect, will do your wagon adventures no good.

Our advice: keep to your sneaky selves and BYO standard drinks from the bar on the ground floor. There isn’t a large selection of cocktails, but really, you’re here for the adrenalin.

Orgo Bar

One of Orgo's martinis will ensure your night at the opera wasn't a total loss. Bar manager Akihiro Eguchi came out tops in this year’s Diageo Reserve World Class 2011 Singapore National finals with his Crown Jewel concoction: freshly distilled rosewater, pomegranate juice, simple sugar syrup and Tanqueray No. 10 gin.

Making a special request that he recreate this cocktail shouldn’t be the only reason to take a couple of nips here. Located among the shiny thorn-like caps of the Esplanade, it is the perfect vantage point to take in the ever-changing Singapore skyline, has a nice angle of the Merlion, as well as fireworks on red-letter days.

During competition off-seasons, strapping martinis made with fresh ingredients are the specialities of Orgo’s herd of Japanese mixologists.

Prelude

Prelude: Blink and you might miss this cozy al fresco spot.It’s a good thing Prelude has its back against the bustle. This open-air minimalist bar at the mouth of the Singapore River is unruffled by the CBD's surrounding pomp.

Not that this is an entirely dress-down spot, as relaxed CBD sophisticates make up most of this dark-wood and canvas deck-chaired space’s clientele.

The lush potted foliage and laidback playlist stays close to the buoyant atmosphere, and the comfortable yet cultivated offering of the Japanese Baird Brewing Company artisan craft beer vindicates your undoing that top collar button.

Ta.Ke at Studio M

Ta.Ke: a bamboo-themed cocktail bar with killer Choya cocktails. This is no place for a quiet cocktail.

The expansive bamboo-themed cocktail bar that shares its 150-seat space with a sundeck with private cabanas, lap pool and gym and is filled with conversation-starter furniture pieces, so expect much to chat about.

Anyone stuck for a topic can start with the gaudy armchairs and work their way to the spindly dollhouse stools. French-influenced tapas and Japanese-inspired cocktails make up the menu.

Ying Yang

Ying Yang: it'll take your breath away in more than one way. It’s a lounge, it’s a club, it’s a bar.

Roosted on top of boutique hotel The Club, this three-in-one Ann Siang Hill space has views out onto the buildings of Chinatown.

It is as swish as you would expect it to be, with a separate side entrance, resort-style umbrella coves and swish vibrant interior design. The pre-club older-yuppie clientele jigs to the classic/rare/broken/minimal/tech grooves of resident DJs Brendon P (formerly Zouk), Ramesh K (Centro) and Jean-Baptiste.

The only downside: climbing up (and later down) three flights of stairs to get to the bar.